The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is challenging an IRS law that many say is wrongly interpreted.

During the 2004 presidential campaign season, Kenneth Taylor, pastor of Calvary Assembly of God in Algoma, Wisconsin, preached a sermon encouraging Christians to impact society. Now, he -- along with help from the Becket Fund -- is challenging the Internal Revenue Service to investigate the church on the basis that they violated a tax code that prohibits churches from intervening in political campaigns.

Eric Rassbach with the Becket Fund says the challenge will shed light on a law that has been used since 1954 to censor religious leaders. He notes that in the 1950s, Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson -- as Senate majority leader -- experienced a tough campaign when a tax-exempt organization ran political ads against him....

lee wrote:The root of the problem is the 501(c)(3) status, together with legal incorporation of the local assembly. Neither of these characterized local assemblies in the apostolic era.Contributions made to an entity which enjoys the 501(c)(3) status are tax-deductible. Many Christians stubbornly refuse to contribute unless the contribution is tax-deductible. Also, the 501(c)(3) status may provide exemption from property taxation.In exchange for 501(c)(3) status, Caesar demands the right to edit that which is taught from the pulpit.

The root of the problem is the 501(c)(3) status, together with legal incorporation of the local assembly. Neither of these characterized local assemblies in the apostolic era.

Contributions made to an entity which enjoys the 501(c)(3) status are tax-deductible. Many Christians stubbornly refuse to contribute unless the contribution is tax-deductible. Also, the 501(c)(3) status may provide exemption from property taxation.

In exchange for 501(c)(3) status, Caesar demands the right to edit that which is taught from the pulpit.